There is one little caveat to this race that everyone should keep in mind. SMX is using "Olympic scoring" to resolve overall finishes, local moto-style. In other words, a first-place and a third-place finish equals four points, and so does a pair of second-place finishes. In case of a tie the overall win goes to the rider with the better second-moto finish. But in AMA Pro Motocross, where a moto win equals 25 points, a second-place means 22, and a third means 20 points, a 1-3 moto score actually beats a 2-2 moto score, 45 championship points to 44. Hopefully the boys in the TV booth understand the nuance of the SMX system, where there are no championship points for a stand-alone moto result, but rather overall: 75 for first, 66 for second, 60 for third...

In the 250 class there's not as much drama, as Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing's Haiden Deegan has been on fire ever since the SMX playoffs started. He's not dropped a single moto, and is riding with a Stew-like confidence, at least back when James Stewart was still in the 125 class. Haiden has a perfect score of 100 points, having started with 25 points as the combined SX/MX points leader in this class, and then adding 25 for his North Carolina win and 50 for Texas. (Notice how I am avoiding the Dallas-vs.-Fort Worth question? Because after spending four days there last week I'm still not sure where one starts and the other ends—and don't even think about Arlington). Deegan has a 19-point lead in the SMX standings over Red Bull KTM's Tom Vialle and doesn't need to win to take the half-million dollars that goes to the 250SMX champion, but I'm guessing he won't be holding back. That's just not his style.

And speaking of not holding back, known-sender RJ Hampshire is unfortunately out for this weekend’s finale. After aggravating his injured wrist at the first SMX Playoff round in North Carolina, he then suffered a big cash in the second moto of the second SMX Playoff round in Texas. On Thursday afternoon, Husqvarna announced Hampshire would be sitting out the final round as he is “already gearing up for an intense off-season of training and setting his sights on the 2025 season.” The 2024 250SX West Region Champion said on his own Instagram he is looking to get his wrist to 100 percent healthy this off-season as he heads into the 2025 season.

There's an extended practice today, as well as the press conference, and then another "Moto-Palooza" podcast mashup, and then Matthes is doing a live PulpMX Show at The Space in town, though not his beloved Sphere. We're also expecting the 2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross schedule to be released, and maybe even some news from Team Honda HRC Progressive, so let's get into the news of the week before we make some new headlines...  

Pro Perspective (Jason Thomas)

It all comes down to this! The SMX World Championship Final is on deck and boy, oh boy, do we have a hum dinger of a scenario. The 450SMX class is a winner-take-all scenario between the top three in points of Hunter Lawrence, Chase Sexton, and Jett Lawrence. The math is easy, win and it's yours. But on a more granular level, what will those three be able to do to help their chances of winning? Let's take a look.

First, the track is going to be very basic as far as technicality goes. That means the starts will be hyper critical. Putting yourself in a good position on that first lap will exponentially increase chances of success, as lap times will be close. For Sexton, that could spell trouble as he has been challenged to match the Lawrence brothers on the starts. With a split start, though, maybe he can find a window to sneak into the top three through strategic gate choice and good qualifying times. For all three riders, they need to nail that first lap, too. Jett has not been stellar on the opening laps, losing positions in North Carolina and valuable time to Hunter in Texas. That could partially be rust from the downtime, but I believe there is also a willingness to be complacent and let the race unfold. On a track that doesn't offer much separation, though, it will be tougher to make up that time and the all-important pass. 

For example, last weekend in the first moto, it could be argued that Jett's patience in the first moto worked against him. It's always difficult to judge effort but he seemed to be content to let the laps unfold while Hunter led and there was no urgency behind him. That ultimately led to Tomac joining the fray, which changed the day's outcome. Had Jett pushed harder in the opening laps, could he have displaced Hunter and built a manageable gap? That could end up being the million-dollar question again this weekend. If Jett misjudges the dynamic and misses a window to build a gap, he could find himself in a dogfight to the checkers again. Jett has been a master of racecraft over his career, but Texas appeared to be a rare misstep. Watch to see if he changes his approach if in the same situation this weekend.

VEGAS SMX (Matthes)

Great to be back in Las Vegas for the season finale, only this time it's for SMX and not SX. Let's all hope one day we're in Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders, for the final supercross race. It's time for it to come back, and although SLC is nice, it's quaint, it's not, IMO, befitting of a SX finale race. So, we're down at the speedway for the third race and in talking to people who have seen the track, it's going to be pretty neat. A true outdoor section, some big and inventive jumps combined with the Vegas SX dirt from 2019, we're in for a treat. I hope.

I was critical of round two of SMX and, hey, mistakes happen. Let's hope the powers that be rectify the issues from Texas and we get something different for 2025. The fact that all three tracks are owned by the same company resolves some of the questions about "why are we in Texas at a poor man’s speedway track in the middle of the Texas heat?" so I hope next year we see something else.

This 450SMX title should be a banger, huh? We've discussed it all week and Chase Sexton is going to need to pull some starts that we've not really seen all year on the KTM in order to keep on of the Lawrence's from winning this title. As we've seen so far, passing on these tracks isn't easy, and Sexton just cannot give the Honda riders those early leads. Sexton after the race told me that A- if he gets a bike that's comfortable, he can win on it and B- he said he wants the trophy more than the $1 million that comes with the 450SMX title. Myself, I'd probably want the $1 million but that's just me. Anyway, it's so basic to say this comes down to the start but honestly, maybe more than SX, more than MX, this SMX title is coming down to the start.

In the 250's, well I'm suggesting the AMA start Deegs backwards, so we get to watch a hell of a race. Otherwise, yeah Haiden looks awesome to defend his title. One thing about the triple points is if Haiden crashes or has bike issues (Sorry Duffe) and someone else wins the title, well hell hath no fury like the Deegan fans sending emails to Feld Motor Sports about their gimmicky points system. 

Because the race is here in my hometown, we had guests aplenty in the PulpMX studios! Cade Clason and Grant Harlan came by for the Fly Racing Moto: 60 Show to talk MXoN and SMX. You can watch it on YouTube or listen here on the PulpMX site.

Bubba Pauli and Derek Rankin came by for the FXR/Race Tech Privateer podcast to talk about Madd Parts Kawasaki building itself into a team with two top ten 450 riders, 2025 plans and more. You can listen to that privateer island podcast here.

JT and I did a Renthal Reaction podcast to the super cool news that Cooper Webb is dropping down to the 250 for the MXoN. You can listen to that reaction podcast here.

And finally, Weege, Seth Rarick, and myself did a Leatt Re-Raceables Podcast on the truly nutty Southwick 2011 race where Brett Metcalfe wins his only AMA race, DC buys riders and media beers and bowling, Rarick realizes he has to give up the dream, and more here. Listen to the 2011 Southwick National Leatt Re-Raceables Podcast here.

Plan D—And it's a Good One! (DC)

Team USA had a Plan A earlier this summer when it was assumed that the team would go with Chase Sexton, Eli Tomac, and Haiden Deegan for the 2024 Motocross of Nations event, but only if Tomac was fully recovered from the thumb injury he suffered towards the end of Monster Energy AMA Supercross. He wasn't, and following the Ironman National finale, the multi-time champion took himself out of consideration. He was quickly followed by his younger Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing teammate Deegan, who told the AMA he was going to have a small procedure on his wrist as soon as SMX was over, also taking himself out of consideration, despite being in dominant form right now.

Plan B was Sexton being joined by his Red Bull KTM teammate Aaron Plessinger, as well as either Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Levi Kitchen or Honda HRC's Chance Hymas. And when Kawasaki told the AMA that they had a new 250 there needed to get to work on as soon as SMX was over, it was Hymas as the MX2 rider. 

But then Honda put out this statement last week: 

That was followed by another press release, this one from the AMA, stating that Hymas was not going to be ready after all:

On to Plan C, which initially had Julien Beaumer of the Red Bull KTM possibly taking the spot, as again, Kawasaki would not be participating with either Kitchen or Ty Masterpool.

But then we got Plan D, which was the bombshell of the week: Cooper Webb raised his hand and volunteered to be on the team, riding a Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing YZ250F.

“I’m so excited to be headed to MXoN. Obviously, a fire drill situation and decision but I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity,” Webb said. “[I] was asked to ride a 250 so I spun some laps on Haiden Deegan’s bike and remembered how good the YZ250F is. I haven’t raced it since 2016 but felt right at home with the few laps I did. I will be all in on 250 prep after Vegas SMX and excited for the opportunity to represent my country.”

Webb, 28 years old, has not raced in the MXoN since 2016, when he jumped up on the 450 to help Team USA out and nearly won, but he answered the call this time when he's needed most. 

Liam Everts (DC)

KTM's Liam Everts, one of the top riders in the MX2 class in the FIM Motocross World Championship, suffered a horrible crash right off the start of the second moto at the MXGP of China. Everts fractured the C5 vertebra in his neck and for most of the afternoon was paralyzed from the neck down. Doctors performed an emergency surgery on him, helping alleviate the pressure on his spinal. By Monday he was regaining sensation and movement, and doctors expect him to make a full recovery. Liam of course is the son of 10-time FIM Motocross World Champion Stefan Everts of Belgium, and the grandson of Harry Everts, a four-time champion himself. According to press release from KTM he's expected to stay in China through this weekend and then return home.

Everts' injury meant a change in the lineup for Team Belgium for the upcoming Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations. Sacha Coenen, Everts' KTM teammate, is the MX2 rider with Lucas Coenen as the MXGP rider and now Yamaha’s Jago Geerts has stepped up as the Open rider.

“Unfortunately, Liam Everts sustained an injury during the Grand Prix of China and will not be able to compete for Team Belgium this year," read a Team Belgium press release." We wish him all the best and a speedy recovery! But fear not, Team Belgium is still bringing the heat! We are proud to announce that Jago Geerts will join Team Belgium in the open class. With his skill and determination, we’re confident the team will continue to shine on the track!” 

Other MXGP Storylines (DC)

The whole MXGP of China seemed star-crossed. It was supposed to take place on Sunday and Monday, which was a holiday there. But then a typhoon was forecast and the government informed Infront Moto Racing that the race needed to take place on Sunday instead. Then the said it had to be finished by 2 p.m. in the afternoon so fans could get home safely before the storm came. The usual qualifying race was scratched, and riders went to the line according to timed practice. 

Once the motos started Lucas Coenen swept MX2 on his Husqvarna, with his teammate Kay de Wolf second overall, so a few points were picked up. De Wolf should be crowned champion at the final round in Spain on September 29. 

The MXGP class saw a huge shakeup as points leader Tim Gajser went down twice early in the first moto, badly being his Honda up. He finished 17th and saw his 14-point lead erased by KTM's Jorge Prado, who finished second behind Kawasaki's Romain Febvre. In the second race Prado won over Gajser, taking the overall as well as a seven-point lead into the final round, which will be held in his home country. It was a 21-point swing!

One other MXGP note: The prototype Ducati Desmo450 MX will line up again at the MXGP finale in Spain next weekend, September 28-29, at the MXGP of Castilla La Mancha. Rather than nine-time world champion Antonio Cairoli, this time it will be Alessandro Lupino, current leader of the Italian Prestige MX1 Championship standings, who will be aboard the Desmo450 MX. The plan is to go racing full-time in the FIM Motocross World Championship next year, and they've already signed a strong competitor in Swiss veteran Jeremy Seewer, currently a Monster Energy Kawasaki factory rider who sits fourth in the '24 MXGP rankings. 

Church Of 350 (Keefer)

Cudby and I headed out to Glen Helen Raceway this week to test the 2025 KTM 350 SX-F. Every time I get on this bike, I seem to have more fun than I normally do riding 450s. I also find myself saying "Why don't I ride this bike more" and it makes me mad. Why don't I ride this bike more? Is it an ego thing? Do I think I need a 450 to be my best? Or is it because I love a spring fork and the KTM's don't come with them? I think it may be a little of each yet slowly but surely those insecurities seem to be going away. For those that have ridden a 350, you know how much fun it is and how good the engine actually is even though you're down 100cc's from the big bike class. For those who haven't ridden the KTM 350 SX-F, it is much faster than you think and it can pull your heavy ass around if need be. The recovery and low-end feel is substantial enough to get you over a double out of a corner much easier than a 250 yet can make you corner better than a 450 because it feels 10 pounds lighter. I really do think if other manufacturers followed KTM's lead here in this class, they would sell all of them. From what I hear though from other manufactures is that they will not make the 350 because they are afraid it will hurt 450 sales. How does KTM make it work then? Anyway, I could write a whole article about the 350, but instead you should just watch the review of the 350 that we did hear. Can you hear the excitement from my voice? It sounds like I just drank a six pack of Red Bulls! 

Home Team Fundraiser (DC)

There is another Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider that is competing in the MXoN, Great Britain's Max Anstie. But the British have to pay Star Racing for the bike, the parts, mechanic, and techs. So Great Britain's team manager Mark Chamberlain is hosting an exclusive Friday night dinner before the MXoN that will feature some of the best British riders of all time. Here's the PR from my old friend Roddy Brooks, the longtime moto journalist:

The Official Team GB VIP Dinner is Back! 

Hey, Watch It

The Jasons preview the SMX Finale with Hunter Lawrence:
SMX Insider – Episode 88 – SMX World Championship Finals Preview

These kids hitting all of these jumps is insane...
GoPro: 85cc Riders Take On Budds Creek

Some pre-race videos by a local Texas news station:

Hometown rider hopes to win big at SuperMotocross at Texas Motor Speedway

SuperMotocross track rapidly constructed at Texas Motor Speedway

FULL MOTO. Reed and Dungey with Dueling Red Plates! 2011 Freestone National 450 Moto 2